How three humble workers turned their daily lives into content gold—and looped the entire Philippines in the process
At the recent Honor X9 Series event, Team Itik stood slightly apart from the usual influencer crowd. Brothers Mark and Janjan, along with their cousin Baron, admitted they were “mahiyain” (shy), describing Mark as “shy type-C.” But their humble demeanor belies the extraordinary journey they’ve taken—one that has captivated millions of Filipinos and transformed their lives completely.
“Kami po, bale, magkapatid po kami ni Kuya Mac (Mark), eto (Baron) po pinsan namin. Magkakasama po kaming lumaki, kaya close po talaga kami,” Janjan explains, describing the tight-knit family at the heart of Team Itik. Their origin story is refreshingly authentic: they simply started documenting their everyday work. Baron installed air conditioning units, Mark drove a jeepney, and Janjan sold goods on the sidewalk. What began as casual vlogs of their daily grind became something much larger.
“Tapos ‘yung mga ginagawa po namin, naisipan namin na i-vlog. At, ayun po, sa tulong ng Diyos—tuloy tuloy naman po, hanggang ngayon nagvo-vlog pa rin kami,” Mark shares. Their content stood out for its creativity and heart, featuring inventive builds and unexpected combinations that sparked joy across social media. There’s even Mingming, Baron’s pet rat, who has become a beloved character—though his wife Jessica, described as “mahigpit” (strict), didn’t allow him to join their biggest adventure yet.
That adventure was the Philippine Loop, an ambitious journey that saw Team Itik circumnavigate the entire Philippines. Starting in July or August 2024, they spent roughly four months exploring the archipelago, though their uploads are still catching up to their actual journey. “Medyo late na po ang upload namin, kaya abangan nyo guys,” Baron says, revealing they’re currently uploading content from Leyte while still processing footage from earlier stops.
The experience proved transformative. “Na-eexplore po namin ‘yung iba’t ibang tourist spot sa Pilipinas. At hindi lang po mga tourist spots ha. Meron kasing magagandang tourist spot na hindi talaga tourist spot, pero sobrang ganda po talaga,” Mark reflects. Baron adds, “Kaya masasabi po natin na sobrang ganda po talaga ng Pilipinas. Hindi lang po nadidiskubre ng iba pero napakaganda.”
Beyond the landscapes, what struck them most was Filipino hospitality. “Saka ‘yung pagiging generous ng mga Pilipino. Matanggap sila sa mga bisita, maasikaso,” Mark notes, his voice carrying genuine appreciation.
When pressed for their top three destinations, each member had distinct favorites. For Mark, Siquijor claimed the number one spot—”Gustong-gusto ko talaga sya balikan, minsan napapanaginipan ko pa. Kapag sinabing probinsya vibe, Siquijor talaga sa akin”—followed by Bohol and Iloilo. Baron chose Siquijor, Mindoro (where they spent extended time building connections), and Bohol. Janjan, being from Mindoro himself, treasured returning home, along with Laguna and Bicol.
Now that the loop is complete, Team Itik is pivoting back to their roots. “Balik po kami sa dating content. Namimiss po kasi naming mag-build, gumawa ng mga kakaibang bagay. Yung mga hindi po naiisip basta-basta ng mga matitinong tao,” Mark says with a laugh, referencing their signature quirky builds. Janjan adds they’ll return to content about small-scale trading: “Saka yung mga pagtitinda-tinda, ganon po.”
But their ambitions extend beyond content creation. “Nilu-look forward po namin na maka-build kami ng business na masasabi po naming successful para sa amin. Para mapondohan rin po future content na gusto naming gawin. Kasi, yung mga content po namin need talaga ng budget eh,” Mark explains. They’re thinking strategically about sustainability, hoping a successful business venture will fund the elaborate content their audience loves.
Despite their viral success and presence at major brand events, Team Itik remains grounded. When asked about collaborating with fellow influencers at the Honor event, Baron enthusiastically declared, “Andami po kasi nila eh!” Mark chimed in: “Kung pwede lang po lahat sila eh, isama namin! Kasya kahit sa bubong ano, para sama sama na!”
Life hasn’t become effortless—”May mga struggles po, pero kaya naman. Kakayanin,” they acknowledge—but they press forward with characteristic determination. “Kakayanin para sa pamilya,” Mark adds, revealing the deeper motivation behind their work.
Team Itik’s journey from jeepney drivers and sidewalk vendors to recognized content creators showcases the democratic power of social media in the Philippines. Their success stems not from polish or pretense, but from authenticity, creativity, and a genuine love for their country and each other. As they navigate their next chapter, one thing remains certain: whatever Team Itik builds next, it won’t be what “matitinong tao” would think of—and that’s exactly why people can’t wait to watch.
